No bail for man who took boy to London

By Jennifer Radcliffe |
July 26, 2012
| Updated: July 26, 2012 9:51pm

A Houston man is being held without bail after taking a 15-year-old boy to London for alleged sexual exploitation during the Olympics.

Jason Daniel Gandy, 35, was charged Wednesday with transportation of a minor for a commercial sex act, which could carry 10 years to life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Gandy ran a massage business, called JasonRMT.com, out of a 1,700-square-foot home in the 2300 block of Truxillo. He bought the Third Ward property about a year ago, saying on his Facebook profile that it was "built like a fortress."

According to his company website, he planned to be in London from July 18 to Aug. 22.

Gandy was stopped at Heathrow International Airport on July 19 by immigration officials, who questioned why he was traveling with a 15-year-old boy who wasn't his relative. After hearing inconsistencies in their stories, United Kingdom Immigration denied the pair's entrance and made arrangements for them to return to Houston on separate flights.

The teen told authorities with Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations that Gandy planned to start a massage business in London similar to the one he ran in Houston. The boy was "under the impression that he would be required to perform some massages while he was in the UK but that he was most excited about the shopping, the Olympics and seeing his favorite bands," according to the criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court.

Gandy told authorities that he planned to use the 90 condoms found in his luggage during massages and that "he had some hope of possibly using a couple with (the teen) in London."

Gandy told officials in Houston that he met the teen through Facebook and had helped him celebrate his 15th birthday at the mall. He often bought the teen gifts and the boy frequently spent the night.

The youth had been assisting with Gandy's massage business since early May, receiving between $20 and $40 per client. Gandy permitted clients to fondle the teen during massages, the complaint said.

Gandy had a signed and notarized affidavit from the teen's mother authorizing him to travel to London, according to authorities.